It's been a funny day of driving today. I've mixed up the road less travelled with the easy options and it was all bit strange, with Gaby Garmin kicking in with her 5c worth as well!
So I started out from Portrush this morning...
The drive into Derry was easy, apart from Miss GG telling me which exit to take on the many roundabouts in that journey!
I had decided to have a coffee break in Derry, but didn't want to stay long, as I've been there a few times before. If you would like to re-visit my last time in Derry click on
this link...
Gaby Garmin helped me arrived very efficiently in Derry, but if you don't put an exact address she just takes you to the designated centre of town... and I didn't know where I was... I eventually found a car park and it was at the Quayside shops, so I had a coffee and a look around there. But I was down the other end of town so couldn't really take any pics. I was also running out of GBPs and didn't really want to withdraw any more more money in that currency, but I didn't have any pound coins left and that was what I needed to pay the parking... Luckily I had one £20 note left so I went into Tescos and bought some water and that gave me enough change to get out of the car park.
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| River Foyle runs through Derry |
This was the only pic I got of Derry.
So, now it was time to move on to the WAW - Wild Atlantic Way.
Because I have driven parts of it before, part of me is saying, Why do it again??? I'm not sure if I will repeat the parts I've done again, or maybe just try and go to some different places.
However, it was a lovely drive today and I was able to take a few pics along the journey.
As usual, it's hard to capture the beauty of the places through the camera, but I guess you can get an idea.
I'd bought a sandwich in Derry and stopped here to eat it. I think is was Moville???
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| Beach at Moville |
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| Beach at Moville |
The WAW signs are pretty clearly marked usually and it took me through Moville and up to the Inishowen Peninsula
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| Inishowen Head |
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| Inishowen Head |
Good old Colmcille gets another mention, as does Iona.....
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| Storyboard about Colmcille |
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| Enlarged version of above |
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| Enlarged version of above |
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| Enlarged version of above |
It was beautiful at this beach... the sun was out and the blue sky and blue sea were just magical.
The next ones were taken at a stopping point called Magilligan Point of View
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| Magilligan Point of View |
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| Magilligan Point of View |
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| Magilligan Point of View |
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| Magilligan Point of View |
The WAW sign usually looks like this..
I came to a junction where the it was a bit different and had many concentric circles and the number 100 on it.
I had seen this last time and I remember the wild good chase it took me on! I think it means there are over 100 curves on the road, or 100 gear changes. Anyway, this time I deliberately DIDN'T take the road less travelled... I would be still be there going round those bends, I reckon!!! I kept to the main stream road - as much as Gaby Grmin would let me!
I ended up at Malin Head which is the most northerly point in Ireland
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| Info about Malin Head |
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| Info about Malin Head |
Scenery is lovely ....
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| Malin Head |
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| Malin Head |
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| Malin Head |
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| Beach near Marlin Head |
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| Beach near Marlin Head |
but.......
I was really disappointed because there were so many people there....! Bloody tourists! I know I say that with tongue in cheek, but last time I visited there was just me and one other person there. This time there were people everywhere - the ants again!!!! Couldn't even get a parking spot. When you're at the end of a country, you would expect a little peace and quiet....!!!
I couldn't get out of that place quick enough..... just took my photos and went.
Then Gaby Garmin went her own charming way in getting me to my nightly abode in Ballyliffin. I think she knows every shortcut in every part of the world and is determined to use them all!
I'm staying at a lovely B&B recommended by my friends Shelley and John who stayed here last year. It's called Doherty's B&B and it's right next door to the Ballyliffin Golf Course, which is hosting the Irish Open later this year. So it's a hive of activity outside as preparations are being made for this big event. I'm going up there for dinner (just 5 minutes walk) and I'm assured it is a lovely place to eat with a beautiful view across the golf course and the sea. I might see if I can get some pics while I'm up there and add them in later as a little PS.
I'll publish this bit first, and maybe add some pics after tea, if I get any decent ones....
Oh Moira, you made me laugh about "the bloody tourists", John Moira and I used to say the same, or if we saw tourist buses on the road we would either put the foot down to get to a destination or go somewhere else! Don't get me wrong, I love people but there is something to be said about taking in the beauty of another country on your own sometimes. By the way, how is your cold?
ReplyDeleteFound at dinner that Starwars was filmed there.... that explains it.... must keep away from other filming places up here. Apparently there are many.... Every time I see a tourist bus I say a thank you Jesus that I’m not on it!!!
DeletePat and I say the same thing about the tourists - even in Noumea we had a shot at the cruise boat people! I can see where the Wild..... name came from. It would be quite stunning in a storm too.
ReplyDeleteCruise boat tourist are yet another species all together!!! All this sun is changing the face of the spectacular place that Ireland is. We probably need a bit of gloom and mist to make it real...
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